“Your Highness,” Max said soberly, “Bryce is gone.”

I leaned back in my chair and frowned. I had known he was going to say it, but it still didn’t feel good to fucking hear it.

“And Corvin?”

“Gone as well,” Max said.

“Where?”

“We’re tracking them now.”

We were sitting in the situation room, a conference room with high definition televisions and advanced computer systems surrounding the central table. Max, Richter, and Al all sat around the table, looking dour.

“How could this have happened?” I asked them.

“We don’t know,” Max said. “I have people working on that.”

I shook my head, glancing out the window.

This was a fucking nightmare. Some psychopath who had been masquerading as a lord had taken Bryce, and I had no idea where they had gone. I didn’t even know what the guy wanted or if she was even safe.

She had to be safe. She was worth more alive than she was dead. I had to keep telling myself that. There was still hope, and they would contact us soon.

In the meantime, there were other considerations. The main bulk of my security force had just left, and the estate was at its weakest. On top of that, I had to wonder how Corvin had managed to sneak into Bryce’s room and somehow smuggle her out of the estate.

We were distracted, that was how. We were distracted preparing to field the army against the rebel gathering. If we weren’t doing that, we would certainly have noticed. We would have had twice the number of men out around the grounds, watching every entrance and exit, and Corvin would have never gotten away.

“Recall the army,” I said to Max.

There was a pause as the three men looked at each other.

“Is that wise, Your Highness?” Max asked me.

“Yes.”

“Why?” Richter asked. “Shouldn’t we crush that army now more than ever?”

“That army isn’t the real target,” I said. “That army was a distraction.”

“You think they used the army to draw our attention away while Corvin grabbed the girl,” Max said.

“Exactly. I think that army is going to melt away into the night as soon as we get close, and we’ll look like we were chasing shadows. Recall the army. We’re going to need the manpower.”

“Your Highness,” Max said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Even if they were just a distraction, the army is still out there. We’re getting reports that they’ve been on the move lately.”

I glanced at Al. He nodded. “They’re getting worse and worse, Your Highness,” he said.

“Doesn’t matter,” I said. “It’s a distraction. There is no real threat.”

“Sir, I think you’re letting your personal feelings blind you,” Max said.

“Believe me, Max, I’m not. Look, there’s nothing of strategic value out in the east. All of the reports have been of the army roaming around, robbing peasants. Does that sound like a real attack?”

“No,” Max admitted.

“They’re baiting us. I’m the only real target out here, and they went after Bryce to go after me.”

Max nodded slowly. “I can see that,” he said.

“Recall the army,” I said again. “Don’t make me order you one more time.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Max said, and he stood. He quickly left the room.

I looked at Al. “How’s it going finding them?”

“Sir, the grounds are patrolled by drones day and night. If someone came or went, it’s in the drone footage. It needs to be analyzed.”

“Very well. Get people on that.”

“Very good, sir.” He stood and left.

I was alone with Richter. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “I don’t envy you one bit, Trip.”

I raised an eyebrow. Richter had only ever called me by that name once or twice before in my entire life.

“Why do you say that?”

“All of this, it’s one hell of a mind fuck. I mean, they kidnapped your mistress for fuck’s sake.”

“She’s not my mistress,” I said.

“Fine. Your woman. I don’t care what she is. I just wouldn’t want to have to make these decisions if I were you.”

He was right. I had to choose what was important to me, and my choices would effect all of the Starkish people. If I went after Bryce too aggressively, I could allow the rebels to win some important battle because of my inattention. Or, if I didn’t pursue Bryce immediately, I could risk losing her forever.

I was in a quandary, and yet I didn’t really feel like it. In truth, the decision felt simple.

I was as responsible for Bryce as I was for my people. I brought her here and I ignored her at the dinner last night. I could have done more, gone to see her, something. But instead, I let my sense of duty override what I really desired.

I wasn’t going to do that again. I wanted Bryce, and I was going to get her back. It didn’t matter if the democrats sent their entire force against me to keep her; I was going to cut them all down one after the other.

I wasn’t letting Bryce go. I could do everything possible for the country and still make some mistake. I had an entire force of ministers who wanted to steer the ship. It was time to listen to advisors and do what I needed to do.

I was going to go after Bryce. I was possibly making some mistake, but I didn’t care either way. The only thing I cared about was getting Bryce back and making her mine.

“The decision is easy, Richter,” I said, standing. He stood along with me. “I’m going to get my woman back.”

He grinned at me. “Well said, Your Highness.”

“I just hope I don’t burn the country down in the process.”

“Oh, I doubt that. The country has survived worse, sir.”

I smiled, nodded, and left the room. Richter saluted as I went.

I felt good as I moved down the halls toward my private rooms. For some reason, I really craved a shower. The idea of hot water rinsing away my hesitations appealed to me.

But in the end, I had made my choice. I was choosing Bryce, and I wasn’t looking back.